Peru says plans to eradicate fruit fly from the main production zones in the south of the country in order to continue to advance its agri-export policy are advancing well.
“This year we expect to consolidate the eradication of fruit fly in the south of the country,” said the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Gustavo Mostajo told Andina News Agency, adding that Moquegua and Tacna had already been declared free of the pest.
Before the government embarked on its strategy, fruit fly was estimated to be costing the industry around US$100m a year.
“This has been reversed and today the south of the country has practically 100 per cent healthy production,” Mostaj0 said.
According to the ministry, there are currently around 385,000ha of fruit fly free production in the south of the country.
“It is important to prevent the entry of the pest into the protected area through non-certified products because the damage would be enormous,” he said.
Peru’s agricultural exports reached US$7.03bn in 2018, an increase of 12.4 per cent on the previous year’s total of US$6.255bn.
Avocados, table grapes, coffee, blueberries and asparagus were the leading exports, accounting for 44 per cent of total shipments.
Avocado exports increased 25 per cent to US$724m last year, while table grape exports rose 10 per cent to US$718m. Blueberry exports showed the strongest growth, climbing 63 per cent to US$590m.
